Hydro-excavation plug

Abstract

A plug device for covering a cavity excavated in the ground. The plug device includes a head defined by a plate having a planar upper surface and a planar lower surface, wherein the plate has a size that corresponds to a size of the excavated cavity. The plug device also includes a plurality of anchor members extending axially away from the planar lower surface, and that are configured to secure the plug device to the cavity.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A plug device for covering a cavity excavated in the ground, the plug device comprising:
 a head defined by a plate having a planar upper surface and a planar lower surface, the plate having a size that corresponds to a size of the excavated cavity; and 
 a plurality of anchor members extending axially away from the planar lower surface and configured to secure the plug device to the cavity, 
 wherein each anchor member is a cylindrical rod, and 
 wherein the plurality of anchor members are located at positions that correspond to about 0 degrees, about 30 degrees, about 150 degrees, about 180 degrees, about 210 degrees, and about 330 degrees of the circumference of the plate. 
 
     
     
       2. The plug device according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate is circular. 
     
     
       3. The plug device according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate includes at least one aperture that extends from the planar upper surface to the planar lower surface that is configured for receipt of a device configured to locate and remove the plug device in the cavity. 
     
     
       4. The plug device according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate and anchor members are formed of a rigid metal material. 
     
     
       5. The plug device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a gusset between each anchor member and the plate. 
     
     
       6. The plug device according to  claim 5 , wherein the gusset is a triangular member having a triangular aperture formed therein, one side of the triangular member extends along a length of the anchor member, and a side of the triangular member that is adjacent to the one side extends along the planar lower surface of the plate. 
     
     
       7. A method comprising:
 conducting a first excavation process that includes forming a cavity in the ground to uncover and determine or confirm the location of underground utilities; 
 temporarily covering the cavity with a plug device; 
 after uncovering and determining or confirming the location of the underground utilities, conducting a second excavation process; and 
 after conducting the second excavation process, removing the plug device from the cavity, 
 wherein the plug device includes a head defined by a plate having a planar upper surface and a planar lower surface, the plate having a size that corresponds to a size of the cavity, and the plug device includes a plurality of anchor members extending axially away from the planar lower surface and configured to secure the plug device to the cavity, 
 wherein each anchor member is a cylindrical rod, and 
 wherein the plurality of anchor members are located at positions that correspond to about 0 degrees, about 30 degrees, about 150 degrees, about 180 degrees, about 210 degrees, and about 330 degrees of the circumference of the plate. 
 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising filling the cavity with a filler material before temporarily covering the cavity with the plug device. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the first excavation process includes forming the cavity using a hydro-excavation apparatus. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the second excavation process includes conducting directional boring. 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the first excavation process includes forming the cavity in a roadway. 
     
     
       12. The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the temporary covering of the cavity with the plug device allows for the roadway to be open to traffic before conducting the second excavation process. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the plug device includes a gusset member between each anchor member and the plate, each gusset being a triangular member having a triangular aperture formed therein, one side of the triangular member extends along a length of the anchor member, and a side of the triangular member that is adjacent to the one side extends along the planar lower surface of the plate.